[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 560 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 560

         Designating February 2024 as ``American Heart Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

            February 13 (legislative day, February 12), 2024

    Mr. Durbin (for himself and Mr. Crapo) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
         Designating February 2024 as ``American Heart Month''.

Whereas cardiovascular disease (referred to in this preamble as ``CVD'') affects 
        men, women, and children of every age and race in the United States;
Whereas CVD continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, 
        claiming the lives of nearly 695,000 individuals in the United States in 
        2021, more than all forms of cancer;
Whereas, from 2019-2020, deaths from heart disease in the United States 
        increased by 4.1 percent, and stroke deaths increased over the same 
        period by 4.9 percent;
Whereas individuals in the United States have made great progress in reducing 
        the death rate for CVD, but this progress has been more modest with 
        respect to the death rate for CVD in women and historically marginalized 
        communities of color;
Whereas CVD results in tremendous health care costs and lost productivity, and, 
        if not addressed, the United States alone will spend over 
        $1,000,000,000,000 by 2035 on costs relating to CVD;
Whereas, between 2018 and 2019, heart disease accounted for $240,000,000,000 in 
        health care expenditures and lost productivity in the United States;
Whereas, in 2020, sudden cardiac arrest accounted for over 436,000 deaths in the 
        United States;
Whereas approximately every 40 seconds an individual in the United States will 
        have a heart attack;
Whereas heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of maternal death among 
        women in the United States, accounting for more than 1 in 3 pregnancy-
        related deaths between 2011 and 2015;
Whereas congenital heart defects are--

    (1) the most common types of birth defects in the United States; and

    (2) the leading killer of infants with birth defects;

Whereas extensive clinical and statistical studies have identified major and 
        contributing factors that increase the risk of CVD, including--

    (1) high blood pressure;

    (2) high blood cholesterol;

    (3) smoking tobacco products;

    (4) exposure to tobacco smoke;

    (5) physical inactivity;

    (6) obesity; and

    (7) diabetes mellitus;

Whereas an individual can greatly reduce the risk of CVD through lifestyle 
        modification coupled with medical treatment when necessary;
Whereas greater awareness and early detection of risk factors for CVD can 
        improve and save the lives of thousands of individuals in the United 
        States each year;
Whereas under section 101(1) of title 36, United States Code, the President is 
        requested to issue an annual proclamation designating February as 
        American Heart Month;
Whereas the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes 
        of Health, the American Heart Association, and many other organizations 
        celebrate National Wear Red Day during February by ``going red'' to 
        increase awareness about CVD as the leading killer of individuals in the 
        United States; and
Whereas, every year since 1964, the President has issued a proclamation 
        designating the month of February as ``American Heart Month'': Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates February 2024 as ``American Heart Month'';
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of American Heart Month;
            (3) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of the United 
        States to fighting cardiovascular disease by--
                    (A) promoting awareness about the causes, risks, 
                and prevention of cardiovascular disease;
                    (B) supporting research on cardiovascular disease; 
                and
                    (C) improving access to affordable, high-quality, 
                and innovative care to reduce long-term disability and 
                mortality;
            (4) recognizes and supports efforts to address the long-
        term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the 
        influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular health and 
        mortality rates;
            (5) commends the efforts of States, territories, and 
        possessions of the United States, localities, nonprofit 
        organizations, businesses, other entities, and the people of 
        the United States who support American Heart Month; and
            (6) encourages every individual in the United States to 
        learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease.
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